Offensive Explosion Powers Gophers Past Purdue 41-13

West Lafayette, IN (Learfield Sports)  --  Freshman running back Shannon Brooks rushed for 176 yards as the Minnesota Gophers controlled Purdue Saturday 41-13.  Coach Jerry Kill had been looking for an offensive output like that all season.

Minnesota scored 28 points in the third period -- more points than it had scored in any game this season.  A 71-yard touchdown run by Brooks started the fireworks for the Gophers (4-2, 1-1) as they pulled away from the home team.

Quarterback Mitch Leidner scored on a one-yard run and threw two touchdown passes in the victory.  The Gophers rushed for a season-high 326 yards.  The Boilermakers (1-5, 0-2) missed an extra point, lost a fumble and gave up three interceptions.

Minnesota starts a rough four-game stretch next week against a struggling Nebraska Cornhusker team at home.